6B
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
SPORTS
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2004
Pitcher plays with pain for the love of the game
Softball junior ready to return to field after injury, surgery
By MATT WILSON
mwilson@kansan.com
KANSAN SPORTSWRIER
Sometimes the things you love the most cause the most pain.
For Kansas softball junior pitcher Serena Settlemier, it was her love of softball that put her in pain every time she took the field.
Settlemier enjoyed an outstanding
Settlemier enjoyed an outstanding
Her batting average was .297 and included two home runs. An All-Big 12 selection came her way as well. At that point, the skv was the limit.
freshman season in 2002. She led the Jayhawks in innings pitched, saves and strikeouts and had a 12-7 record.
But underneath that success was an injury that Settlemier had played with since she was 15-years-old.
A chipped ulna caused her constant pain that she was determined to fight. She wanted to continue her first year's success, but in the middle of the fall season of her sophomore year, the pain got to the point where something needed to be done. Surgery was the next step.
"It was a really radical operation, but she said 'let's do it' with no hesitation," coach Tracy Bunge said. "I don't know a lot of kids who could have handled it the way Serena did."
Settlemier's absence left a gap in the lineup that was difficult for the team to fill.
"Serena was going to bat in the fourth spot," Bunge said.
"Her absence from the lineup and the pitching staff was a devastating loss that really hurt us."
The Jayhawks finished the 2003 season with a record of 26-22. Settlemier wanted to return in 2004 and help the club post more victories.
But after three surgeries and a metal plate, she had to face the possibility that she might not be able to do what she loved ever again.
"It was very hard not knowing if I could make it back or not," Settlemier said. "I went through stages of anger and depression. It was tough pulling myself away from the team."
Settlemier went through a 16-month rehabilitation program to try to get herself back into form. It was a tough process, both physically and mentally.
"After that long, I was definitely ready to get back out there and play." Settlemier said.
When she did return to the game, her wrist continued to give her problems.
Settlemier often was limited to filling the designated hitter role, starting in 46 games. She even managed to pitch nine times during the season, but she experienced unforeseen problems associated with the wrist surgerv.
"Pitching last year was more painful than before because of the metal plate," Settlemier said. "The tendons would rub against the plate. It wasn't a lot of fun."
Continuing to fight through it all has made Settlemier appreciate every chance she gets to contribute to the team.
This year she is expected to be a main participant in a deep pitching staff that returns Kassie Humphreys and Kathy McVey and welcomes newcomer Christina Ross.
Settlemier's ordeal has earned her respect among her teammates and coaches.
"The team really looks up to
It was a really radical
she said 'let's do it with no hesitation. I don't know a lot of kids who could have handled it the way Serena did.
Tracy Bunge Kansas softball coach
her because of all that she's been through and how hard she's worked to get back," Bunge said. "I'm confident that she will step up and be a leader this year."
Bunge said she wanted Settlemier to be a significant contributor on the field as well.
"Serena gives us lots of depth and we need her to pitch a lot of innings this year, especially in tournaments when you play all weekend," Bunge said. "I envision her batting in the middle of our lineup. She is one of the most dangerous hitters we have."
Settlemier will not be completely healthy this season, but she said she still believed she could be a big factor in a successful season for her club.
"My arm probably won't be full strength, but with my determination and hard work to get back, my role will be big on this team." Settlemier said.
Full strength or not, Bunge said she was just happy to see her back.
"She's better than she's been in a long time, and she has that smile back on her face," Bunge said. "She just loves the game. She may not be 100 percent, but Serena at 90 percent is better than most."
Edited by Anna Clovis
St. Louis Cardinals' third baseman Scott Rolen, right, is greeted by first baseman Albert Pujols after Rolen's home run in the sixth inning of Game 7 of the National League championship series last night in St. Louis.
Cardinals in series after 17 years
ST.LOUIS The best team in baseball now gets an opportunity to prove it in the World Series.
became a roiling sea of red.
In a match-up where the home team won each time, the Cardinals broke through with two outs in the sixth inning. It came in a span of only two pitches, and Busch Stadium
Albert Pujols hit a tying double, Scott Rolen followed with a home run and the St. Louis Cardinals suddenly erupted against Roger Clemens, startling the Houston Astros 5-2 last night to take Game 7 of the National League championship series.
Jeff Suppan overcame a lead-off home run by Craig Biggio to win an apparent mismatch against Clemens. The bullpen combined for three scoreless innings, shutting down Carlos Beltran and Co., with Jason Isringhausen working the ninth for his third save.
After posting 105 victories and running away with the NL Central, the Cardinals advanced to their first World Series under manager Tony La Russa, and first overall since 1987.
Next up, the Boston Red Sox in Game 1 on Saturday night at Fenway Park. By all accounts it should be a classic — they also met in the 1967 and 1946 Series,
and St. Louis won both, going the full seven games.
Puiols led the way, hitting 500 with four homers and nine RBI. Overall, the teams combined for 25 home runs, the most in any postseason series.
Larry Walker singled home an insurance run in the eighth, and the club sporting the famed birds-on-the-bat logo captured its 16th pennant.
For the Astros, it was total disappointment.
They have never reached the World Series since their expansion season of 1962, the same year Clemens was born.
But the Rocket could not hold an early 2-0 lead in his record fourth start in Game 7.